| Review by RICH GRABLE | posted 153 days ago | 931 views | 0 times favorited | 6 comments | ![]() |
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- JET JWL-1220VS: 12" X 20"
- Brand: JET | Category: Lathes

Hi again friends, I have had 2 Performax mini wood lathes. Both of them had some good features, price, variable speed, gaurantee etc. I purchesd the original one from Menard’s in North Platte Ne. I burned out the motor on the first one. They sent another complete lathe, and a few weeks later, I was going to use it and it wouldn’t turn on. They again gave me a new one. Fantastic business to do business with!
While I was in need of a lathe, I purched a new JET JWL-1220VS: 12” X 20” WOW, what a lathe, it has every thing U would want. I love the very slow speed when I am using a forestner bit on the tail stock. The little Performax just didn’t have the power and I think that was what burned out the motors. It has a lock pin on the head stock to loosen my chuck when I want to remove it. Also has a feature I really like, the tool on the tail stock with the MT taper # 2 realeses just by unscrewing the wheel on the end.
Hope all this BS helps some of you!
-- RICH GRABLE

























6 comments so far
BTKS
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485 posts in 360 days
posted 153 days ago
Wow, that is one monster of a dust collector in the background. Looks like a nice lathe too. Definetely one to look at if my current one dies. Thanks for posting. BTKS
Dusty56
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3466 posts in 583 days
posted 153 days ago
DUDE , THE PRESENT LATHE THAT YOU HAVE PICTURED IS NOT A JET LATHE
MAYBE YOU CAN TAKE A NEW PICTURE OR POST THE ONE FROM THIS SITE
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GYVANK/ref=asc_df_B001GYVANK835085?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=nextag-tools-tier3-delta-20&linkCode=asn
I’VE HAD A JET VS MINI LATHE FOR YEARS NOW WITH NO COMPLAINTS AT ALL : )
CONGRATULATIONS ON STEPPING UP !
-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .
Carlos
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7 posts in 153 days
posted 153 days ago
I sure am glad to see you all have good things to say about the jet mini lathe because I just purchased one today. I have not seen it other than the pictures but had my dad and uncle pick it up for me in Santa Fe they said it looked good as new runs like a top. So I am really excited to make a trip to NM to pick it up next weekend. I picked it up cheap so I was kind of worried cause Im still very green when it comes to woodworking and tools. Thanks
-- Carlos
DocK16
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710 posts in 982 days
posted 151 days ago
I believe the tailstock on this lathe is on backward.
-- DocK, WV
reggiek
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712 posts in 165 days
posted 151 days ago
I’ve had a jet mini lathe for 2 years now…got it with the stand and extension table. I haven’t had one problem with it…and the variable speed is great for detailing smaller cuts and for sanding. I have turned many many bowls, spindles, plates and walking sticks….someday I might break down and do a pen set or two.
Also, if you are going to do a lot of bowls, let me recomend the bowl saw…it is great for making use of the waste from bigger bowls…
The only complaint…if there is one, is that the extension table did not butt to the lathe correctly….I had to do a bit of shuffling to get it so that the tailstock would run back smoothly. I recommend that you apply a small amount of wax on the lath’s runner periodically as it tends to rust easily…and jam when the oxidation gets into the slot on the tool rest and the tailstock. This also makes it easier to move your tool rest around when needed. I just use a candle and rub it on the lathe when needed and after finishing my project.
-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!
scopemonkey
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129 posts in 1059 days
posted 148 days ago
I have the JET JWL-1220 but not the VS model. I loved it until just recently when everything started to vibrate. I could see a noticeable wobble in my chuck, pen mandrel, or anything else I put on it. Put the dial indicator to it and there was a 12/1000’s runout in the headstock spindle. My local service center told me that I was lucky to get the amount of use out of the bearings that I did (it is just over a year old). My model is made in China with cheap China bearings, while some models are made in Taiwan and are of better quality (or so I’m told). It’s still in the shop being repaired, waiting for parts. I had some free time this weekend and sure did miss my lathe!
-- GSY from N. Idaho